Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-03-04
[ HE sen TIN Ell.
ROCK WILLIE, MD
Friday Morning. March 4. 1887,
AN AGGRESSIVE DEMOCRACY.

IN AGGRESSIVE DEMOCRACY.
With more than admiration, if possible
with more than pride, we read every line of
Gov. Hills address delivered on the evening
OF the 22nd of February at dinner given
by the Young Mems Democratic Club of
Brooklyn, New York. In point of pathos,
true elcquence and burning invective, we
cannot now recall its equal, in our opinion,
save in the imprisoned address of the al.
most matchless Mirabeau in defense Of Marie
Antoinette before the French Deputies The
New York Star in its evident reluctant refer
ence as to its reception by the audience, says,
napkins were thrown in the air and the
rafters shook with theenthusiastic plaudts"
Referring in the most complimentary terms,
which all good Democrats will not hesitate
to endorse, TO the sincerity of the Presidents
intentions, the faithful manner in which the
laws have been executed, due diligence ex.
ercised in the collection of the revenues, the
reduction of the expenses of the general
government, the conservative way in which
foreign affairs have been conducted, the
prosperous condition of the finances, the
enterprise, activity and harmony pervading
the "New South"-he sends the following
significant utterance:
If l were to make any suggestions upon
this occasion l should only urge upon our
party friends such action rs will tend to the
encouragement or development Of a more
vigorous and aggressive Democracy every
wbsre The Democratic banner should be
nailed t6>the outer wall, that all men may
see our colors and know under which flag
we fight. l believe that the best interests
OF the country are 10 be subserved by Demo
cratic rule, and we should net be ashamed
Ia say so. We have no apologies TO make,
because We believe in the principles Of our
party.
"a more vigorous and aggressive De-
mocracy everywhere "-that is the key
note-that is TO be the battle cry of the De.
mocracy in the future-already its thunders
are rolling down the ranks OF the Demo-
cratic column--it has knocked at the doors
OF the palace-it has pulled the latchstring
of the cottage, and henceforth it is 10 be.
come the living harmony of every Dems.
cratic freside-as 1t is to remain the pass
port in the Democratic party to every 20.
litical preferment.
Aggressive Democracy l-how eloquent
Of meaning. Mcdonald at the battle of
Wagram, when almost exhausted with ia
tigue and blinded by smoke and dust, as
his eyes caught sight OF the French colors,
tear stole down his brenzed cheek, he
exclaimed to his disheartened columns,
Onward Onward" and where is there
brighter page in the history Of Napoleon's
campaigns than that which describes the
part the French troops bore on that memoir.
able occasion. Alta later period, said Gen.
Taylsr on the soil Of the proud Montezumas,
"a little more grape, Captain Bragg" words
that brought victory that day upon the Amer
lean standard, as they afterwards made the
hero of Buena Vista President Of the United
States. Said Gov. Hill last week, "a more
vigorous and aggressive Democracy every
whsre"-it was said for the ear Of the AID.
ministration who has disappointed and ig-
nored the rank and file Of the Democratic
party, and the ear Of the Administration has
heard it. II means the accommodating of
power in the party and for the party-it
means that contracts made with those cut.
side Of the party lines ara to be repudiated,
that any asd all offers Of compromise with
sn avowed enemy are 70 be discoun.
tensnced, that j. order 70 have an efficient,
clean and healthy administration of public
affairs under Democratic regime Demo.
Gratis must have sole charge q the machinery
of the government
Continuing his remarks SO that he could
not be misunderstood, aad In order that "he
who runs may read" the heroic champion
Of Democratic rights said:
1t is especially desirable that rs party
We pursue, AS against the common enemy, q
bold ana progressive policy and course Of
action. / dislike hypocrisy in politics, and
would not do indirectly what would not
do directly. would remsve Republicans
iron office, in proper cases, not upon tech
meal or trumped-up charges or false grounds,
but because they are Republicans and are
opposed TO the principles OF my party and to
its success, and their retention in important
places is detrimental to the public interests
which we seek 70 promote. Let rs recall
the closing words Of that famous St. Louis
platform of 1875, substantially dictated BY
Mr.. Tilden himself: 1--WE demand q change
Of system, u change of administrator, q
change Of parties, that we may have q
change of measures and of men" That
same admirable platform tersely declared
that "all in authority are the peoples ssrv-
ants. Their offices are not private per.
quisite, they are public trust" The PEG.
pies servants should represent the senti.
ments of the people; the faithful fulfllment
OF their official trust demands their adher.
ence and devotion TO the principles approved
in their election or involved In their APP
pointment. This Is not only common sense
but II is honorable politics, and politics, In
its best sense, "is the science Of govern.
ment"
II. on the assumption Of power under a
republican form Of government or any other
form of government, it Is desired TO have
inaugurated a change of measures, the same
cannot be successfully engineered and &C.
complished unless placed under the direc-
ton of men who are thoroughly imbued
with their spirit and teaching. The history
and philosophy Of the wsrld have long
demonstrated this fact, and Mr.. Cleveland
might as well undertake 10 stay the progress
OF a comet with base ball bat as 10 under
sake 70 make the people Of this age believe
otherwise. The poorest altar at which he
ever knelt, ana the weakest political god
that he ever worshiped 10 his civil service
reform. for at this very hour 1t is gradually
and surely working the destruction of THE
party tina: made him President, and the ad.
mirable and telling speech Of Gov Hill is
a rebuke of the ruinons policy that he is
pursuing.
In the proudest and best days Of the old
Wing party, Mr.. Clay whispered into the
ears of President Harrison--"univsrsal pro.
scription, Mr.. President" Il was William
l.. Marcy, Of the Empire State. who said
that "te the victers belong the speila" II
was reserved for Mr.. Cleveland, a teacher Of